Goodwin Launches Small Business Investment Grant Program

Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin, joined by Charleston City Council Members and representatives from Charleston Area Alliance, Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau and Charleston Main Streets, announced the creation of a Small Business Investment Grant Program. This program will help small businesses and merchants repair/renovate their building’s exterior, aesthetically enhance their business or aid in marketing and customer service capabilities via e-commerce, web development, social media marketing, etc.

“Our small businesses are critical to the City of Charleston’s economy and make our Capital City unique and vibrant,” said Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin. “This Small Business Investment Grant Program will allow folks to make improvements or provide additional advertising for their businesses and will hopefully drive more consumer traffic during these unprecedented times.”

Examples of projects that qualify for this grant funding include broadband connectivity, marketing, advertising, demolition projects, construction of exterior surfaces including doors, windows, fences, stairs, ramps, painting and more. Project work must be started within six months of the grant award and must be completed within one year.

“This exciting program comes at such an important time,” said Council Member Caitlin Cook. “Our small businesses are so much more than small businesses – they are our neighbors’ dreams and life-work, they are first jobs and livelihoods, they are comfort and our pride to show off when friends and family come to visit. This is an investment in a critical part of our community now and for our collective future.”

A total of $250,000 will be awarded as part of the three cycle (Fall 2020, Winter 2020 and Spring 2021) grant program.  A total of $80,000 in grants may be awarded under the Fall 2020 program. The maximum annual grant award for any one business is $5,000 and grant recipients must match any award amount by 25%.

Applications for Fall 2020 are available online and must be received by the Mayor’s Office of Economic and Community Development by Friday, October 30, 2020. For more information, or to get an application, contact Larry Malone, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Economic and Community Development, at 304-348-8035 or lawrence.malone@cityofcharleston.org.